Does the APGAR Score “Predict” the Baby’s Future Health?
Before we answer this question, please note that perfectly healthy babies may have low APGAR scores in the first few minutes of life.
However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say there might be an association between a low 5-minute score and the risk of cerebral palsy. They mentioned that babies with low scores at the 5-minute mark have 20-100x increased risk compared to infants with a score of 7 to 10.
At the end of the day, healthcare professionals DO NOT use the APGAR score to predict the baby’s future and long-term health.
Key Takeaways
The APGAR score, which stands for appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration, gives an overview of how well the baby tolerates the birthing process and the life outside their mother’s womb. It is, however, not indicative of their future and long-term health.
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